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| So Hyeong-jun / Photo: Getty Images |
South Korean starter So Hyeong-jun delivered a stellar performance in his World Baseball Classic debut.
So took the mound for Korea on March 5th in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) Round 1 Group C opener against the Czech Republic at the Tokyo Dome. The right-hander tossed three scoreless innings, allowing four hits, walking one, and striking out two.
From the get-go, So showcased his poise under pressure. In the top of the first, he caught leadoff hitter Prokop looking for a strikeout. Although he then surrendered a single to Cervenka, So induced a double play from Babra to escape the inning unscathed.
The second inning proved to be So’s biggest test. After retiring Cervenka on a fly ball to left, he allowed a hit to Hrlup and walked Muzik, putting runners in scoring position. So bounced back by fanning Mensik, but an unexpected bunt single by Escala loaded the bases with two outs. Unfazed, So got Preada to fly out to left, preserving the shutout.
So maintained his composure in the third. Despite giving up a leadoff single to Prokop, he battled through an eight-pitch at-bat to coax a double play from Cervenka. Riding that momentum, So induced a groundout from Babra to complete a 1-2-3 inning.
Korea turned to reliever Noh Kyung-eun in the fourth, ending So’s impressive outing.
WBC Round 1 rules limit pitchers to 65 pitches per game. Hurlers who throw 50 or more pitches must rest four days, while those who throw 30 or more or pitch on consecutive days must rest at least one day.
Having thrown 42 pitches, So will be eligible to pitch again after one day of rest, keeping him in the mix for Korea’s upcoming games.
As of the fourth inning, Korea held a commanding 6-0 lead over the Czech Republic.
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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